O Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology it’s at Brazilian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery warned of the need to comply with health standards after more than 100 patients were infected by a fungus during cataract surgery in Amapá. Of 141 patients treated during the action, 104 were infected.
In a note to the population, the entities highlight that carrying out large-volume services or joint efforts has been adopted by health managers in states and municipalities as a solution to the backlog of demand and demonstrate concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of invasive ophthalmological procedures.
The council and the association recommend that joint ophthalmological care be provided primarily in establishments with a history of providing this type of service in the health region that requires it and not in mobile units or with the use of temporary structures or non-medical establishments. -adapted hospitals and that the collective assistance model is only offered by teams and companies from other states after documented proof of the incapacity or lack of interest of the ophthalmological units in the region to be covered in meeting the demand under the same contractual conditions.
The entities remember that clinical and/or surgical procedures must be carried out by doctors who have a qualification record as a specialist in ophthalmology and that, during the procedure, the health surveillance of states and municipalities strictly monitors the activities carried out, ensuring that all requirements technical and operational requirements are met. It is also important to remember that the responsible team monitors patients for up to 30 days after surgery, with immediate communication to health surveillance of adverse events being mandatory and, in the case of infection, that the joint effort is interrupted until the cause is ascertained and action taken. measures to prevent new occurrences.
Adverse events related to joint efforts must be compulsory notified by any ophthalmologists within six months following the procedures. “The adoption of these measures is essential so that cases like those recently registered in Amapá, and which have already occurred in other states, do not happen again”, add the two institutions.
Fusarium fungus
According to the Amapá Health Department, the Fusarium fungus caused endophthalmitis, a rare type of infection produced by the action of microorganisms that penetrate the inner part of the eye, such as tissues, fluids and structure. Some patients report becoming blind after the procedure.
The collective effort is part of the Mais Visão Program, which receives a parliamentary amendment and is carried out by a company contracted to provide the service through an agreement between the state and the Frei Daniel de Samarate Human Promotion Center (Capuchinhos). The program began in 2020 in Amapá and, according to the Capuchins, it has already provided more than 100 thousand consultations, with the greatest demand being cataract surgeries (50 thousand).
O Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology it’s at Brazilian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery warned of the need to comply with health standards after more than 100 patients were infected by a fungus during cataract surgery in Amapá. Of 141 patients treated during the action, 104 were infected.
In a note to the population, the entities highlight that carrying out large-volume services or joint efforts has been adopted by health managers in states and municipalities as a solution to the backlog of demand and demonstrate concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of invasive ophthalmological procedures.
The council and the association recommend that joint ophthalmological care be provided primarily in establishments with a history of providing this type of service in the health region that requires it and not in mobile units or with the use of temporary structures or non-medical establishments. -adapted hospitals and that the collective assistance model is only offered by teams and companies from other states after documented proof of the incapacity or lack of interest of the ophthalmological units in the region to be covered in meeting the demand under the same contractual conditions.
The entities remember that clinical and/or surgical procedures must be carried out by doctors who have a qualification record as a specialist in ophthalmology and that, during the procedure, the health surveillance of states and municipalities strictly monitors the activities carried out, ensuring that all requirements technical and operational requirements are met. It is also important to remember that the responsible team monitors patients for up to 30 days after surgery, with immediate communication to health surveillance of adverse events being mandatory and, in the case of infection, that the joint effort is interrupted until the cause is ascertained and action taken. measures to prevent new occurrences.
Adverse events related to joint efforts must be compulsory notified by any ophthalmologists within six months following the procedures. “The adoption of these measures is essential so that cases like those recently registered in Amapá, and which have already occurred in other states, do not happen again”, add the two institutions.
Fusarium fungus
According to the Amapá Health Department, the Fusarium fungus caused endophthalmitis, a rare type of infection produced by the action of microorganisms that penetrate the inner part of the eye, such as tissues, fluids and structure. Some patients report becoming blind after the procedure.
The collective effort is part of the Mais Visão Program, which receives a parliamentary amendment and is carried out by a company contracted to provide the service through an agreement between the state and the Frei Daniel de Samarate Human Promotion Center (Capuchinhos). The program began in 2020 in Amapá and, according to the Capuchins, it has already provided more than 100 thousand consultations, with the greatest demand being cataract surgeries (50 thousand).
